Nicola Prentis

When this place opened in early 2008, other establishments must have been beside themselves after they nabbed the only terrace in Tünel Meydani. It must be the only place in Istanbul with a view and an 8ytl Turkish breakfast platter. A mainly organic menu of Turkish standards is enhanced by touches like the 12 different kinds of homemade breads, rotated daily, and all freshly squeezed juices. The minestrone soup was chunky farmhouse style, filling enough for a light lunch if accompanied by the much anticipated bread, a cake-like cheese and caramelized onion creation, still warm from the oven. If Istanbul dwelling steak fans can actually remember the options other than well done, they'll be gratified not only at being asked how they would like it, but also at getting what they asked for. A medium rare sirloin in peppercorn sauce was a simple dish, reassuringly pink. Three-cheese pasta with walnuts also pleased with its al dente texture. Rather than attempting innovation in the European sections the chef is clearly aiming for quality over flashiness.
Quickly passing over the Turkish milk based desserts looking for the real stuff, we chose pear and apple crumble and a flour free, warm chocolate cake. The former had a disappointingly cardboard flavor topping. It tasted like it must be good for you and needed a lot more sugar for crunch and indulgence. Points were more than retained by the half melted, half fudgy chocolate cake that managed to be light without losing any chocolatey-ness. No alcohol yet, they are in the process of getting the licence to allow you to linger on the terrace with a glass of wine.
Mains 6.50-17ytl
Salads 4-13.50
Desserts 4.50-7ytl br / Open everyday, from 08:00 a.m. to midnight.